For all

Have a magical party with Circus Kaput at Chesterfield Mall. Kids will be entertained with face-painting, balloon animals, magic shows, and more. A party includes exclusive use of the space (located near Macy's), decorations, and party bags. You just bring the refreshments. Packages start at $300 for 25 children. 291 Chesterfield Center.

For the budding chef

Does your kid like to bake up a storm? Celebrate in culinary style by letting party guests whip up a tasty masterpiece. You can select a theme like Candy Shop, Baking is Best, Pizza Party, and more. The party includes use of the facility and everything you need, from invites to cupcakes. Packages start at $395 for 12 children. 125 Chesterfield Towne Center.

Kids will learn cooking basics while preparing a meal and decorating cupcakes. You can choose from nine easy main dishes, then add a fruit side dish and a smoothie. Packages start at $250 for 20 chefs and include two hours in the classroom, an instructor, all your ingredients for three dishes, and a cupcake for each chef. Recipes are appropriate for chefs aged 4 to 12. Eckert’s Cooking Classroom, 951 S. Green Mount, Belleville, Illinois.

For the rockstars-in-training

Have a rockin' good birthday party with disco lights, a DJ, and a take-home CD of party guests recording a hit song of your choice. The party includes the room, DJ, setup, paper products, and soft drinks. Packages start at $229 for 15 children. 8809 Gravois.

Younger girls love the princess parties, while older divas want to rock out as pop stars. There are six party packages to choose from, and each includes makeup, hair styling, costumes, and a dance party. Packages start at $249 for eight girls and include a party hostess, group photo, and take-home gifts. Add a ride in the Sweet and Sassy hot-pink limo for $75. Best for ages 3 to 12. West County Mall, 314-909-1901.

For the future artist/interior designer

Host an art-inspired party in Tower Grove Park with Artscope. The organization can help pick crafts to match your theme. Pricing includes the space, an art teacher, and materials—parents provide refreshments and paper goods. Packages start at $15 per child (six-child minimum). 4255 Arsenal.

Kids can create—and take home—their dream bedroom with doll-sized furnishings, wallpaper, and curtains. The shop has everything girls (and boys!) need to create a room: wooden furniture, fabric for pillows and curtains, and even a tiny pet. Parties start at $256 for eight children and include the mini room, three pieces of doll furniture, plus fabric and art supplies for décor. Packages include a party assistant. Bring your own cake. For kids 4 and up. West County Mall, 314-822-5225.

For the young scientist

Kids love digging for dinosaur bones; discovering science through magnets, music, and computers; and testing their speed on the radar slide. Pricing starts at $249 for up to 15 guests. Packages include an hour in a private room, a party assistant, all-day access to the museum, one hands-on science experiment, soft drinks, and paper goods, but bring your own cake and food. Ideal for kids ages 2 to 12. 283 Lamp and Lantern Village, Town and Country, 636-220-7930.

Blast into space with a party at Challenger Learning Center. Partygoers will take turns being space explorers or in mission control. Kids over age 12 will be thrilled with Expedition Mars as they “travel” to the Martian moon Phobos to search for signs of life. Kids 5 and up can choose the Junior Astronaut program with a mini mission and rocket building.Packages are $350 for astronauts under 12; Expedition Mars is $600 for up to 30 astronauts over age 12. Both parties include use of the facility, party assistants, and cupcakes. For toddlers to teens. 205 Brotherton, Ferguson, 314-521-6205.

Invite a mad scientist to your party for a crazy good time. Mad Science entertains guests with hands-on experiments geared to children's ages, from 4 to 12. Choose a theme—for instance, dinosaurs or secret agents—and add experiments or a cotton candy-making "experiment." Mad Science will perform indoors or outside, at your home or a venue of your choice. Packages start at $175 for 15 children. 8420–R Olive.

For active kiddos

Pick a theme—from dance divas to superheroes to pirates—and add extras like a room of tumbling mats or an obstacle course. A party includes the space, a party assistant, and clean-up. Packages start at $165 for 10 children. 4835 Lemay Ferry.

Invite guests to create, jump around, and play—no matter their abilities. This gym was built for children with special needs, and it encourages everyone to play together. Parties include exclusive use of the gym and craft area. Bring your own refreshments, or add a cake to your package. Packages start at $120 for up to 20 children; packages for children with special needs start at $140 for up to 15 kids and include a trained staffer. 2075 Bentley Plaza.

Denise Bertacchi is a mom on a mission to find all things fun for kids to do in St. Louis. Read more at stlmotherhood.com, or follow her at @stlmotherhood on Twitter and Instagram.